Abstract: The invention provides a method of simulating future cash flow for a given asset allocation under a variety of economic conditions, comparing the results of the simulation to a predefined risk tolerance baseline, and preferably adjusting the asset allocation until the results of the simulation reflect a maximum rate of return for a given risk tolerance. The simulation of cash flow generates a plurality of asset cash flow projections for a given asset allocation that are preferably graphically represented with respect to the predefined risk tolerance baseline. The risk tolerance baseline is plan specific and is preferably set to a multiple of a preferred risk factor such as percentage of payroll cost or benefit cost. The occurrence of an asset cash flow projection falling below the risk tolerance baseline defines a risk tolerance failure event.

Abstract: A computer system that has a bus is provided with a host memory coupled to the bus, this host memory having an event status queue in which events are stored. A peripheral controller is coupled to the bus and writes a termination marker in a first block in the memory and events occurring in the computer system in blocks in the event status queue in a first direction beginning with a block adjacent to the first block. A host processor is also coupled to the bus. The host processor reads the written events in a second direction opposite to the first direction beginning with a last block in which an event was written by the peripheral controller. The host processor terminates the reading of events when the first block in which the termination marker is reached. The use of a termination marker allows both the hardware of the peripheral controller and the software run by the host processor to operate in the event status queue at the same time, with no danger of running over each other.

Abstract: An address generator provided on an error control chip of an optical disk storage for addressing a plurality of working buffers accessed by a CPU, an optical disk drive (ODD), and encoder/decoder circuitry during error correction operations. The address generator comprises a loading address generator that produces an adop address signal to provide linear buffer access for the CPU and ODD when data are supplied from and to the CPU and ODD for encoding and decoding. A processing address generator produces an adex address signal that provides interleaving and random buffer access for the encoder/decoder circuitry during data encoding and decoding operations. A buffer rotation control circuit produces address and data bus control signals to provide the rotation of the buffers between the CPU, ODD, and encoder/decoder circuitry in various encoding and decoding cycles to support a pipeline error control arrangement.

Abstract: For a charge to a serial connection or a series-parallel connection of secondary cells or modules thereof, a charger controllable for a reduction of charge current with a response time and bypass circuits each respectively connected in parallel to a corresponding one of the cells or modules are controlled such that a voltage of the corresponding cell or the corresponding module is predicted of a time point after a lapse of the response time, and the reduction of charge current is started when the predicted voltage has reached an upper limit voltage set therefor.

Abstract: A simple and implantable sustained release drug delivery device with an inner core containing an effective amount of a low solubility agent covered by a non-bioerodible polymer coating layer that is permeable to the low solubility agent is disclosed. A method for treating a mammal to obtain a desired local or systemic physiological or pharmacological effect by surgically implanting such a sustained release drug delivery device into a mammal in need of treatment is also disclosed.

Abstract: A composite antenna for hand held communications applications comprising at least two individual antennas spaced from each other at less than 0.3 wavelengths relative to the frequency to be received. Preferably the individual antennas are arranged in two or more arrays each of 2, 3, 4, 5 or more individual closely spaced antennas. Preferably each of the individual antennas is between 0.1 and 0.7 wavelengths long and most preferably about 1/4 wavelengths long. The composite antenna may be designed to operate in the 800 MHz to 5 GHz range. Preferably the individual antennas are spaced from each other in the direction of orientation of the individual antennas to assist in each individual antenna receiving a signal as uncorrelated as possible to the signal received by the other individual antennas of the composite array.

Abstract: A process for production of chlorine dioxide which is substantially free of by product chlorine. Chlorine-dioxide is produced from an alkali metal chlorate, a mineral acid and a reducing agent such as methanol in a reaction medium maintained at an acid normality of less than 9 and with a high chlorate molarity. The process is carried out in the substantial absence of additional chloride ion being fed to the process. It has been found that increasing the chlorate concentration at a given acid normality reduces the amount of chloride in the reaction medium thus reducing the amount of chlorine by-product. The process is carried out in a vessel operated under subatmospheric pressure, whereby water is evaporated and withdrawn together with chlorine dioxide and the alkali metal salt of the mineral acid is crystallized within the reaction vessel and withdrawn therefrom.

Abstract: The present application relates to a method of operating an internal combustion engine during combustion process that makes it possible to breake the increase of the gas pressure at the beginning of combustion, and partially to replace it by a lengthened substantially isobaric process, i.e., a process in which the combustion pressure keeps nearly steady. In this way, the combustion rate and the variation of the combustion chamber in volume can be optimally synchronized for improving the engine operation.

Abstract: There is provided by the present invention an image forming apparatus including a one-chip microcomputer having white reference data for a first sheet of copy fetched with shading gate arrays in a stable region for a halogen lamp, using said white reference data when forming an image for a first sheet of copy, and also having shading-corrected white data fetched for a second or subsequent sheet of copy each time an image is formed.

Abstract: In a manufacturing process of a MOS FET having a C-MOS structure, lightly doped n- diffused layer is formed for source/drain regions in n channel and p channel transistor regions respectively. A p+ diffused layer is further formed for source/drain regions in a p channel transistor region. By a heating process, the n- layer is outweighed by diffusion of p type impurities in the p channel transistor region, and the source/drain current of the p channel MOS FET is secured.

Abstract: A device of forming a plug base for an electric relay to be fit through an opening in a panel is disclosed. The device comprises a body having a plurality of electric sockets and a width. An electric relay is part of the device and has pins engageable in respective electric sockets of the body and has a plug position where the sockets and the pins are engaged in an approach position where the sockets and pins are in contact. Snap-in resilient lugs are mounted adjacent the body and are flexible between a first position where the lugs are elastically contracted towards the center of the body and a second position in which the lugs are in a normal, non-contracted position. Each of the lugs has a width substantially equal to the width of the body. The relay, when the relay is in the plug and the approach positions, prevents the resilient lugs from moving to the first position.

Abstract: The method comprises the following stages: first the attenuation function of at least three reference materials are determined across a wide x-ray spectrum and projection functions (F.sub.p1, F.sub.p2, F.sub.p3, F.sub.p4) forming a base are derived therefrom, then the attenuation function in said x-ray spectrum of at least one target material is determined and the attenuation function of each target material is projected onto said base; further, for each point of the object (1), the attenuation function of the object (1) is determined in said x-ray spectrum and projected onto said base, and the projections so obtained are compared with the projection from each target material and from this comparison an inference is made whether at least one target material enters the constitution of the object (1) at the point of inspection.Application: luggage inspection and control.

Abstract: A single stage secondary oxygen concentrator for receiving a gas mixture from a first stage oxygen concentrator and a method of use therefor is disclosed. The concentrator includes a first carbon molecular sieve bed and a second carbon molecular sieve bed. A first inlet valve is connected to an inlet of the first carbon molecular sieve bed and a second inlet valve is connected to the inlet of the second carbon molecular sieve bed. A first product outlet valve is connected to the outlet of the first carbon molecular sieve bed and a second product outlet valve is connected to the product outlet of the carbon molecular sieve bed. The oxygen concentrator has control means for controlling a first cycle in which the first carbon molecular sieve bed is being charged with the gas mixture and the second carbon molecular sieve bed is being desorbed.

Abstract: The inventive relates to a rolling unit (5) for rolling rod-shaped or tubular bodies, such as pipes, hollow sections bars, wires etc. The unit (5) is provided with three or more working rolls (20) which have respective rotation axes (A1, A2, A3) lying in a perpendicular plane to a rolling axis (L) along which the unit (5) is disposed. Advantageously, the rolls (20) are mounted on corresponding swinging arms arranged to oscillate in respective planes, perpendicular to the rotation axes (A1, A2, A3) of the corresponding rolls (20) and containing the rolling axis (L). Such a rolling unit can prevent any uncontrolled thermal expansions induced in the swinging arm by the high temperatures sometimes involved in the process, by keeping the rolls in a symmetrical position with respect to the plane of oscillation of the respective arm.

Abstract: An automobile traction control system in combination with a throttle control system of an internal combustion engine for controlling traction of drive wheels, comprises a sub-throttle for adjusting an engine-power by varying its opening amount and a controller responsive to a slip amount of the drive wheel for controlling the sub-throttle opening to reduce an engine-power irrespective of an accelerator pedal work when the slip amount exceeds a predetermined threshold. To effectively suppress undesired acceleration-slip for example when starting on a low-.mu. road, the controller performs a sub-throttle slow-opening control under a particular condition of at least a low vehicle speed, a low-.mu. road and a great depression of an accelerator. During the slow-opening control, the sub-throttle opening increases slowly, after once adjusting the sub-throttle opening essentially to zero irrespective of the slip amount of the drive wheel.

Abstract: The drive unit is improved in precision while the number of its manufacturing steps is a minimum. The drive unit reduces its manufacturing cost, and comprises a base plate 1 assuming a predetermined shape in cross-section so as to form a pair of frame portions 2 in its opposite sides. The plate 1 is made of metal, formed by using an extrusion process, and provided with: a concave portion 4 with a central hole 3a through which a motor M is mounted on the plate 1; and, a mounting hole 3c through which a swing arm is mounted on the plate 1. The motor M has its spindle 5 mounted in the central hole 3a of the plate 1 in an insertion manner. The swing arm 6 has its base portion supported by a pivot 8 through a pair of ball bearings 7. The pivot 8 is mounted on the plate 1 through the mounting hole 3c in an insertion manner.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ornamental glass which can be used as decorative windows, doors, curtain walls, or the like in houses, buildings, automobiles, boats, or any living environments where division between the interior and the exterior is required. In particular, the ornamental glass features an embedded pattern designed for decorative purpose and a oneway light-transmitting quality that allows a viewer standing on the exterior side to see only the designed pattern but not the scene behind while a viewer standing on the interior side can see a translucent view of the exterior scene. The ornamental glass comprises a first sheet of transparent glass; a decorative pattern layer coated upon the first transparent glass sheet, and a second sheet of transparent glass placed upon the layer of decorative pattern.

Abstract: A function diagnosing apparatus of an evaporative emission control system for an automotive vehicle executes a diagnosis when a diagnosis starting condition is satisfied. First, a purge cut valve and a vent cut valve are closed, and a bypass valve for a one way valve disposed between a fuel tank and a canister is opened. When a pressure in a purging line is not raised up by these valve operations, it is decided that the system goes wrong due to one of of the bypass valve in a cold condition, fuel vapor leakage, of the vent cut valve in an open condition, and/or no vapor existence. Upon opening the vent cut valve, it is decided as to whether the purge line pressure is dropped or not. When the purge line pressure is dropped, it is decided that the vent cut valve is normal. When the purge line pressure is not dropped, it is decided that vent cut valve is sticking closed.